Page 63

“Yes, I can tell. Thank you,” Valda replied with a smile, placing her hand one of the strings and heading to the breakfast table.

Melvian bit her lower lip and nervously rubbed her hands together before addressing Valda. Her voice trembled as she spoke. “My Queen, may I have a word with you? I swear it will only take a minute of your time.”

Valda frowned and took a handkerchief from Maris’s hand. “Speak.”

Melvian took a deep breath to calm herself. “My father, Hephast, he made something for you, and he wanted me to give it to you.”

Valda grinned as soon as she heard the name. “Hephast, of course. My father’s favorite blacksmith.”

“Yes, he is very devoted to your family. A little too much—I don’t mean it in a bad way!”

“Relax, Melvian. What is it? What did your father want me to have?” Valda interrupted gently.

Melvian hunched over and searched underneath the food cart, pulling out a long yet thin box which she quickly handed to Maris.

“Shall I open your gift?” Maris asked, placing her free hand over Valda’s shoulder.

“Please,” Valda said, grabbing hold of a warm cup of coffee and blowing on it.

Maris delicately turned the small lock and opened the box. As soon as she saw its contents, she turned her eyes to Melvian and smirked. “You want me out of my job? I thought you were my friend.”

Melvian’s face turned red with embarrassment. “No! I—” She groaned in frustration. “I told him this wasn’t a good idea!”

“What is it?” Valda asked, turning her face towards Maris with curiosity.

“It’s a white cane,” Maris answered, gently grabbing Valda’s wrist and placing the cane in her hand. “But not just any white cane—”

“Father wanted to be funny, and he imitated the Heaven Sword’s handle...”

Valda squeezed the handle and chuckled. “It’s perfect.”

“It’s also hard enough to be a baton. He said that you need to protect yourself better now that... Oh, boy.” Melvian hesitated, scratching the back of her neck.

“Spit it out. I know what Hephast is all about... Don’t be shy,” Valda said, arching one eyebrow while feeling her present.

“He says you need to protect yourself better now that you are a useless warrior.” Melvian closed her eyes and grimaced.

Maris tensed up, her gaze never leaving Valda. Yet to her surprise and Melvian’s, the queen threw her head back and laughed.

“Tell your father that he is a useless drunken beggar that needs to get a new hobby.” Gripping the white cane tightly, Valda flicked her wrist and almost hit Maris and Melvian when the stick unfolded. “Feels sturdy...”

“Please use that accordingly!” Maris said, quickly taking the cane from Valda’s hands and collapsing it to put it back in the box.

“Thank you, Melvian. Tell your father that I do appreciate his gift and his sense of humor. I might just go visit him soon enough.”

“I will... I am so sorry. I—” Melvian stammered.

“Melvian. I know your father; he is like that. Do not worry. I won’t have him executed.”

Sighing in relief, Melvian gave Maris a grateful look before bowing her head and leaving just in case Valda decided to change her mind at the last minute.

After a couple of seconds of silence, Maris turned to Valda with a one-sided smile. “You love tormenting your maids, don’t you?”

“It can be entertaining,” Valda said, taking a sip of her coffee. “Sit. I know you’re hungry. I can hear your stomach from a mile away.”

Maris shook her head and chuckled before sitting on the other chair at the small table, right in front of Valda. She picked up some strawberries and buttered bread, along with another cup of coffee.

“Thank you,” Valda said before dunking some bread in her cup.